Safety container and locking cap therefor



June 6, 1961 G. STEVOFF SAFETY CONTAINER AND LOCKING CAP THEREFOR Filed Oct. 5, 1960 INVEN TOR. 650/965 5751 0/ 7 Patented June 6, 1961 2,987,207 SAFETY CONTAINER AND LOCKING CAP THEREFOR George Stevolf, 1306 Isabelle Ave., Racine, Wis. Filed Oct. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 59,878 4 Claims. (Cl. 215-9) This invention relates to containers and closures therefor, and especially to the type of containers used to store and ship chemicals and medicines.

Occasionally unauthorized persons such as vandals or curious children injure themselves or property by coming into contact with acids, chemicals or medicines that are stored in ordinary containers or bottles.

It is an object of this invention to provide a container and closure cap for acids and other injurious substances, that will effectively prevent or discourage unauthorized removal of the closure cap from such a container.

Another object is to provide a cap or closure for a container that requires knowledge as to the combination for removal of the cap from the container.

Another object is to provide a container and stopper cap or closure that cannot be removed by a child.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed, but includes all such variations and equivalents as fall within the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a view of a container in the form of a bottle and having the closure cap of the invention locked thereon, parts being broken away to more clearly show the construction.

FIG. 2 is a section taken at 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the modification of the locking means, and FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the path taken when the stopper cap is being removed.

Referring again to the drawing, the invention comprises a container of glass, plastic or any suitable material. A neck 12 is provided, and a cap 14 is made slidable on neck 12.

Neck in this instance has an axial orifice 16, and an end surface 18 and an annular seat 20. Orifice 16 provides the means of filling or emptying the container.

Cap 14 is cylindrical so as to slide and rotate axially on neck 12, and is of a length sufiicient for the purpose. Cap 14 has an end wall 22 to provide support for the stopper spring means to be described.

A stopper 24 of a spherical shape as shown is made of a material suitable for use with the specific contents to be stored in the container, a material being chosen that will not be affected by the contents. The spherical stopper 24 will seat itself securely on seat 20 when cap 14 is being moved axially on neck 12 and locked in place in a manner that will be explained.

The gist of the invention is a plurality of labyrinths 30 on the periphery of neck 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and which have a bottom surface parallel to the periphery of neck 12. Each groove 30 starts initially at the end surface 18 of neck 12 and has a portion 32 that extends lengthwise of the neck 12, and then extends transversely in a portion 34, then is redirected lengthwise in a portion 36. Groove 30 then continues serpentine-like as shown, and finally terminates in a transverse portion 38 at a point spaced from end surface 18 and lengthwise portion 32. It is to be understood that this invention also embraces the use of only one labyrinth groove 30, or a plurality as desired; two being shown.

Cap 14 is provided with a groove follower pin 40 for each labyrinth, and which is molded within cap 14, or otherwise supplied. Pin 40 is intended to follow groove 30 when cap 14 is properly placed on neck 12 and moved so as to follow the labyrinth groove.

A conical spring 42 of suitable material has a major coil 44 which is a press fit within cap 14 and abuts end Wall 22. The remaining coils are so proportioned as to telescope within each other when stopper 24 is pressed against the spring on applying or removing the cap 14. Spring 42 terminates in a central end 46 which is embedded in stopper 24 by molding or by being pressed into a suitable hole. It is clear that stopper 24 will be self-centering when the cap 14 is being placed on neck 12.

FIG. 4 shows a modification 48 of the labyrinth with respect to the shape thereof. This groove comprises a lengthwise groove portion 50, a transverse portion 52, a lengthwise portion 54 and a transverse portion 56. A plurality of grooves 48 can also be provided about the periphery of neck 12 if so desired.

It Will be evident that a person knowing the path of the labyrinth or neck can easily remove cap 14 and replace it. However, an authorized person or a child would, by ordinary manipulation, be unable to remove the cap and would soon abandon the effort after a brief try. If difliculty should be had in removing cap 14 and stopper 20 because of sticking of the latter, manipulating of the cap as above explained and then pulling the latter from the spring 42, the stopper 24 will be exposed and then the latter can be pryed loose. Then the cap can be replaced on the spring.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent of The United States is:

1. In a container having a cylindrical neck provided with an end surface, and an axial orifice in said neck having an annular seat, in combination a cylindrical cap axially slidable on said neck and having an end wall, said neck having a labyrinth groove on the periphery thereof, said groove comprising a first lengthwise portion initiated at said end surface and ending in a transverse portion extending to a point spaced from said first lengthwise portion, said groove progressing serpentine-like toward said end surface by means of a plurality of lengthwise and transverse portions and terminating in a transverse portion at a point spaced from said first lengthwise portion and said end surface, said cap having a lug to freely engage and to follow said groove upon manipulating said cap, a spherical stopper element engaging said seat, and resilient means intermediate said stopper and said end wall to urge said stopper against said seat when said lug is caused to follow said groove.

2. In a container having a cylindrical neck provided with an end portion, and an axial orifice in said neck having an annular seat, in combination a cap surrounding said neck and axially slidable thereon and having an end Wall, said neck having a labyrinth groove on the peripheral surface thereof, said groove comprising a first lengthwise portion, a first transverse portion, a second lengthwise portion extending toward said end portion,

- and a second transverse portion extending toward said first lengthwise portion and terminating at a point spaced therefrom, said cap having a lug to freely engage and to follow said groove upon manipulation of said cap, a spherical stopper member engaging said seat, and a resilient means intermediate said stopper and said end wall to urge said stopper against said seat when said lug is caused to follow said groove.

3. In a container having a cylindrical neck provided with an end portion, and an axial orifice in said neck, in

combination a cap surrounding said neck and axially slidable thereon and having an end wall, said neck having a labyrinth groove on the peripheral surface thereof, said groove comprising a first lengthwiseportion, a first transverse portion, a second lengthwise portion extending toward said end portion, and a second transverse portion extending toward said first lengthwise portion and terminating at a point spaced therefrom, said cap having a lug to freely engage and to follow said groove upon manipulation of said cap.

4. In a container having a cylindrical neck provided with an end portion and having an axial orifice in said neck'and terminating in an annular seat, a cap slidably engaging said neck about the periphery thereof and having an end wall, said neck having a peripheral labyrinth 4 groove, said groove comprising a first lengthwise portion, a first transverse portion, a second lengthwise portion extending toward said end portion, and a second transverse portion extending toward said first lengthwise portion, said cap having a lug to slidably follow said groove upon manipulation of said cap, a stopper member within said cap and engaging said seat, and a resilient means intermediate said stopper member and said end wall to urge said stopper into contact with said seat when said lug engages said groove.

Bleton et a1. Sept. 29, 1885 Shelmon Aug. 28, 1923 

